what’s on ... QUEENSLAND EVENTS roadside holiday Avoid a JUICY ACTION Chinchilla Melon Festival February 19-22 STORY BELINDA PETERS C homping into a cold watermelon under the hot sun is an Australian summer tradition, evoking childhood memories of dancing under sprinklers (in the days pre-water restrictions) and sliding down detergent-soaked tarpaulins. If you think those glory days of outdoor, watermelon-fuelled fun are behind you, it’s time you made your way to the Chinchilla Melon Festival. Chinchilla, a small Western Downs town of 4000 people, produces a quarter of Australia’s watermelons, and the biennial event celebrates its status as the ‘melon capital’ of Australia. The four-day celebration has an joining together for melon-themed events and activities. The last festival in 2007 drew more than 6000 people and made emphasis on fun, with visitors and locals n Upgrade to Ultra Care for the ultimate in roadside assistance EXTENDED TOWING ACCOMODATION RENTAL VEHICLE FUEL international news by setting a Guinness World Record for melonW smashing – 40 melons in 60 seconds. ds. Australia’s heaviest melon, weighing in at 87 kg, was also crowned at the 2007 festival. hing in at 8 8 attempt, alongside such other popular events as melon skiing, melon bungee, pip spitting and melon tossing. This year there will be a new melon-smashing world record on tossing. melon-smash n popular events a Saturday 21st is family fun day, which includes a street parade,day, which include markets and most of the melon-themed events Other events of note include the poets’ breakfast and competition, the big melon weigh-in and an appearance by Bob the Builder. For more information, visit www.melonfest.com.au or phone 1. 4662 8031. TAXI LOCKSMITH LEGAL ADVICE EXTRAS RACQ Ultra Care provides real peace of mind, with a long list of added benefi ts that you can call on after a breakdown. For more information call 13 1905 (24 hours), visit racq.com/ultracare or visit your local RACQ branch. Some limits and conditions apply. 48 FEB/MAR 09 PR RINGWO O EMAIL EM L BELINDA.PETERS@RACQ.COM.AU .PETERS@RACQ.COM.A OOD, Q T ETERS@ S@ C ,Q D ore n 031 o nfor 1 Chinchilla is 3½ hours drive west of Brisbane. To plan your trip to the festival, visit racq.com/tripplanner. Chinchilla Melon Festival is one of RACQ’s 150 M Getting there p , q Must-Do’s. SUBMIT YOUR EVENT AND PHOTOS TO: THE ROAD AHEAD, PO BOX 4, SPRINGWOOD, QLD 4127. FAX TO 3257 1863 ORX 4, SPRINGWOOD, QLD 4127. FAX TO 325 18 EMAIL H OAR DOA 57 18 7 M AU PU U L C AD, PO 863 BE GUARANTEED. THREE TO FOUR MONTHS NE GUARANTEED. THREE TO FOUR MONTHS NOTICE REQUIRED. AU. PUBLICATION CANNOT HS NO E C RE ON ON CANNOT IRED. Visit www.150mustdos.com.au. THE on-themed events de the poets’ breakf n appearance by B .melonfest.c s.